An object ofthe invention is to provide an elevator particularly adapted 'for handling a plurality of strings of pipe or tubing while simultaneously makingr up or breaking out thestrings, in lowering the same into or withdrawing .the same from a well.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an elevator, a novel 'slip jaw assembly for engaging and supporting a plurality 'of strings of pipe or tubing,

With the above and YVother objects 'in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of Construction, 'operation and arrangement Vo'i parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the .accompanying drawings, 'wl'i'erein-Y y Figure 1 'shows a planV view of the elevator shown partly in section.

Figure 2 shows a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a vertical, sectional viewtaken on the line 3-3 'of Figure 1, and

Referring 'now more particularly 'to the drawings, wherein like 'numerals "of re'ference "designate the same parts in 'each of 4-the figures, rthe numerals I and 2 designate complementary sections of the 'elevatory vloodywhichjare substantially similar in general'contour. At one-side *the section I is Vprovided with the upper and 'lower spaced hinge 'members 3, 4'van/d tted clo'sely'between the hinge members 3, 4 'there is 4a hinge 'member 5 ncarried bythe section 2. The :hinge members 3, 4, 5 have an aligned bearinglto vreceive the hinge bolt Shaving the ie'nlargedh'ea'd 1 on its upper end and whose lower'endlisthreaded to receive the retaining nut 8. A hinge `between the sections, I, 2 is `thus formed. l g

At the other side the 'section 2 'isjprovidedvwith the upper and lower spaced lugs '9, `IIJ andthe section I is provided withan intermediate vlugfll adapted to t between 'the lugs-i9, IU, when the elevator is in closed position'and these lugsg, l, II have a bearing through them to receive fthe latch bolt 'I 2 whose upper end is provided'with an the elevator may be swung 'into 'open position.

lfanges and :through :enlarged bores fas145, vIIIi in may be engaged. Spaced beneath these respective hooks fare the arms I9, 20 extending radially outwardly from'fthe respective body sections and retaining bolts 2|, 22 are `fitted downwardly through the bail hooks and through the corresponding arms I9, 20 and are retained in place by the heads 23, 24 at their upper ends 'and the nuts 25, 26 at their lower ends.

The bails II, 18 are provided for engagement with the hook of the 'conventional travelling block which is operable in the derrick by the appliances commonly used for such purposes.

plings and the upper sections of the stringsare unscrewed from the couplings so as to be laid aside. While the upper sections of the tubing are being unscrewed the slip jaws 38, 39 should be moved upwardly and outwardly on their seats in the elevator body so as to release the tubing. Means have been provided for so moving said slip jaws which will now be described.

Mounted to rotate on the vertical pivot pins I, 52 are the grip members or handles 53, 54 whose inner ends are fitted through the transverse slots 55, 56 of the body sections I and 2. 'I'he inner ends of these handles are disc-like in form and have the arcuate cams 51, 58 on their upper faces. The slip jaws 3B, 39 have the eX- ternal recesses 59, B0 into which the inner ends of the handles project as shown more clearly in Figure 4 and depending into the recesses 59, 60 and bearing against the cams 51, 58 are the bosses 6I, 62 whose lower ends are rounded oil and ride on the cam faces 51, 58. The operator may swing the grip members 53, 54 toward each other in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 1 causing the cam faces to act through the bosses 6I, 62 and elevate the slip-jaws causing them to move upwardly and outwardly so as to release the tubing.

When the upper sections of the tubing have been unscrewed from the string beneath they may be swung to one side and with the jaws in said released position the operator may then withdraw the pin I2 permitting the elevators to swing open and release the pipe and the elevator may then be lowered and engaged about the upper end of the string beneath for the purpose of again elevating the string as before. the elevator has been engaged about the tubing the grips 53, 54 may again be swung about toward each other so as to elevate the slip jaws to permit the elevator sections to be closed about the tubing with the slip jaws out of engagement with the tubing so that the pin I2 may be easily inserted through the aligned bearings of the lugs 9, IB, II and thereupon the grips 53, 54 may be swung apart into the position shown in Figure 1 to permit the jaws to move downwardly and inwardly into their lower position and into engagement with the tubing. It will thus be seen that provision is made -for moving the slip jaws upwardly and outwardly in the elevator body out of contact or engagement withthe tubing when it is desired to withdraw the pin I2 or to insert it so that the bearings throughthe lugs 9, ID, II may easily' be brought into alignment to permit withdrawal or insertion of the pin I2 without binding.

It is obvious that the elevator may be manipulated in a similar manner to that above described while making up the tubing and lowering the string into the well.

It may be here noted that the sections I and 2 are provided with grips 63, 63 and 64, 54 for easy handling of the elevator in carrying on the work for which it is intended.

These slips are engaged about the strings of tubing beneath tubing cougether at one side, means for releasably securing the sections together at the other side, said body having an inside, downwardly converging seat, complemental slip jaws having external recesses and depending bosses therein and shaped, externally, to conform to the contour of and to fit on said seat and whose facing sides are shaped to t around and simultaneously grip a plurality of strings of tubing and manually operable means mounted in the body and working in the recesses against the bosses whereby the jaws may be moved upwardly and outwardly.

2. An elevator of the character described comprising an elevator body formed of two complemental sections hinged together Vat one side, a latch -for releasably securing said sections together at the other side, said body having an inside, downwardly converging seat, a pair of complemental slip jaws shaped to fit said seat, whoseinside faces are shaped to fit around and grip a plurality of strings of tubing, means on the jaws to align the jaws with each other, flanges on the sections having tubing receiving openings and substantially enclosing the seat and jaws, means for loosely mounting each of said jaws in the respective section, and means on the sections including cams effective to move the jaws out of wedging relationship in the seat.

3. An elevator of the character described comprising an elevator body formed of two complemental sections hinged together at one side, a latch for releasably securing said sections together at the other side, said body having an inside, downwardly converging seat, a pair of complemental slip jaws shaped externally to fit said seat and whose inner sides present confronting flat faces having a pair of complemental vertical grooves which are internally toothed forming gripping faces adapted to engage about and grip separate strings of tubing in side by side relation, flanges on the sections, having tubing receiving openings substantially enclosing the seat and jaws, means for loosely mounting each of said jaws in the respective section, means on the jaws to cause one to alignV with the other, depending bosses on the sections and cam means on the sections arranged to co-act with the bosses to move the jaws out of seating relationship in the seat. Y

4. An elevator of the character described comprising an elevatorbody having an inside downwardly converging seat, complemental slip jaws shaped, externally, to conform to the contour of and to t on said seat and whose inner sides are shapedto t around and simultaneously grip a plurality of strings of tubing, means mounted -in the body for elevating the jaws relative to the seat, said elevating means and the respective jaws being provided one with cam means and the other with means to co-act with the cam means whereby, upon appropriate manipulation of the -elevating means, said slip jaws will be elevated relative'to the seat.